Mechanism for forming lath panels



July 19, 1932. e. A BUTTRESS MECHANISM FOR FORMING LATH PANELS Filed Feb. 4, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 In van for eorg e" z/f/m s s y 19, 1932- e. A. BUTTRESS 6 MECHANISM FOR FORMING LATH PANELS Filed Feb. 4, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 July 19, 1932. G. A. BUTTRESS 1,867,727

MECHANISM FOR FORMING LATH PANELS Filed Feb. 4. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Invenfor 'olg'e A. Buff/e 5 J:

Patented July 19, 1932 PATENT o FicE GEORGE A. BUTTRESS, 015 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA MECHANISM Fon FORMING LATE r-nnnLs Application filed February 4, 1929. Seriallilo. 337,492.

This invention relates to a mechanism for forming fabricated lath panels and particularly pertains to a machine for forming sheet rib lath of the character set forth in Letters Patent of the United States, Number 1,753,598, issued April 8, 1930, and which lath embodies spaced parallel ribs formed of a plastic composition interposed between fibrous facing and backing sheets," the invention also pertaining to a mechanism for forming the ribs of the lath with a dove-tail crosssection employed in the method for forming such lathas disclosed in Letters Patent-of the United States, Number 1,7 91,7 91, issued February 10, 1931.

. An object of the invention is to provide a mechanism whereby a ribbon or strip composed of a longitudinally corrugated sheet having composition ribs; formed on one side thereof and covered by a backing sheet may be worked while the ribbon is advancing to form the composition ribs and the spaces therebetween, of dove-tail cross section and 'at the same time compress the composition toren der it compact.

Another object is to provide a combined press and rib forming mechanism operable to advance with the work while effecting the pressing and forming operation, and also operable to be retracted out of operative relation to the work, whereby the forming and pressing operations will be efiected-intermittently on a. continuously advancing ribbon;

Another object is to provide a mechanism so timed that the rib forming and pressing operations will be performed substantially coincidently. Another object isto provide an effective means for forming substantially rectangular composition filled corrugations with overhanging side walls operable by pressing the side walls laterally from vacant corrugations.

Another object is to provide a rib lath forming mechanism in which'a ribbon of the lath will be formed preparatoryto division into dimens oned panels and in which the ribs are so formed as to permit longtudinal severance of the ribbon into a pluralityof widths including means whereby the facing and backing sheets may be joinedtoremoved;

ge ther conti nous the line of severance in such manner as to be held against separationfrom each other during the severing action. A further object is to provide a mechanism of the above character which will enable 5;

rapid out' put of the product. With the foregoing objects in View, to-

getherwith such other objects andadvantages as may subsequently appear, the invention resides in the parts and features and in the combmation, COIlStILlCtJOll and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed and illustrated by way of example in the. ac-

companying drawings, in which: Y g. 1 is a view of the machine as seen in '65 side elevation; i V I 1' p Fig. 2 is" an en'd-view'with portions broken away as seenkin the direction indicated by i the arrow'2 inFig I; V

F ig.'3 s a V ew in elevation-with portions broken away as seen in the direction indicated by the arrow-3 inFig'fZ; Fig: 4 is a fragmentary plan-view as seen on the line 4 i'of Fig. 3;;-- v Fig. 5 is a view as seen on the line 5'-5 of Fig. 4 in the directionindicated by the arrows, illustrating one of the rib forming devices as seen in side elevation with portions Fig. 6 is a detail-in section and elevation as seen on the line 66 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7is anenlarged detail infsection illustrating the manner offorming and compacting the lath ribs. j

Referring to the drawingsmore speoifi cally, A and B indicate'spaced horizontal frame members which are mounted on suit L engaging one end'of a connecting 'rod M leading to and attached to a hangerN'der .pending'from the.under side of a bed plate- 100 O embodied in the carriage E; the bed plate being carried on the rails F and G. Supported on the bed plate O, is a table P over which is fed a lath ribbon Q (shown in F. g. 1) which ribbon, as shown in Fig. 7 embodies a longitudinally corrugated facing sheet a, a. backingsheet b, andrcomposition. ribs 0 whichribs areformed in-xalternate cor= rugations of the sheet a and consists of a wet unstable plastic composition as initially formed previous to feedingthe ribb'on over 1 the table P, and which composition hardens when dry to form with the sheetsa-andhthe finished product. The corrugations of the sheet a and the ribs 0 as initially formed are of-i'substantially rectangular cross section .af--. fordingvacant corrugations between adjacent ribs 0 alsoofsubstantizilly rectangular cross sec-ti on. In initially forrning; the ribbon Q, the facing sheet ,a is formedwvithits longi-. tudinal corrugations .ini any suitable manner,

the machineembodying .the present invention in a horizontal position over auplatform .R, ineany ,suitablemanner the plastic. compo: sitionbeing placed in: the alternate. upwardly opening corrugations of the sheet .a, and the backing .sheet b being imp osed the reon as the ribbon advances over the-platform R pre-..

'vious tofeeding ofithe ribbonoyer the table P.

Fitted on thetable P, and extending-longitudinallytthereof adjacent its sideedg es. are upwardly emendingfined flu-11gS..-.8 and .9, the adjacent or inner faces :of: whichare bevelledinrwardly, asrindicated: atlO in Fig. 7, and 3 over." which, flanges. the. marginal portions of the sheets a and-lb ofthe ribbon-Q, ext-end. as .the'latter advances over the table, with the marginal ribsc 0f tl1e=ribbo1i:extend.- 7

ing. contiguous I the bevelled faces of the flanges-i8 and 9z Thetable .'-P. is. also-provided extending relatively'-movableside plates 12" and "18 arranged in longitudinal slots 14' formedinthe table P and normally seating againstythe sides of the slots as shownin Fig; 7 ,"and interposed betweeneach pair of plates -12'and-"13is a. vertical reciproc-alspreader 15 having -an==upp'ermarg inal :portion formed i with a fiat topiiface '(Z "and provided with: in

clined side faces 1 e and f :converging vdownwa-rdly towardeach othen The faces@ and 7 the inner faces of the plates 12 and 13 and extending longitudinally thereof on a plane above the upper face of the table P; the inclined faces 6 and f and ribs g and it being so arranged that on downward movement of the spreader 15, the plates 12 and 13 will be rocked onthe upper margins of the. side walls ofttherslot 14 so that the plates 12and 13 will be disposed in oppositely inclined positions and indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 7, and' wh'ereby-the upperend portions of the plateswill press the side walls of the corrugations of the ribbon Q into dove-tail cross section... The spreader 15 is in the form of a bar'extending substantially throughout the length-ct .theplates 112. and: 13. and is. interconnected therewithby means of pins 16 and} 17. projecting: from thenpposite sides of the spreader bar and extending. into vertical slots 18randull9 in=the platesl2 and 18 as-particularl-yishown in;Figs.5 and 6. Formed onthe spreader; barfat,; intervals throughout its length, isa'series ;of .dependinggstems 20v and extending transverselybeneaththe ,sp'readers'l is a series of: rock. shafts 121,; each-.of .which is. a

formed withaseries :ofcams 22zwhich-seat in openings: 23. formed; iinzrthe '1 aligned, stems 20 of {tile :contiguousrspreaderrbars; the outer:-

ends oftheaockshafts '21 .proj ectinggfrom one side of the table P and being;fitte.d ;withr cranks Etcpivotally :connecting' with an ;a-ctuatingc bar 25, whereby longitudinal'moveement'gofii theebar 25 wil'li irockythe :series ,ofrockz: shaftss collectively "and thereby effect: simultaneous -1 movement; of: the spreader. bansu. Asia means. of operating the bar :25, therouter end; of the latteris pivotallyicon nected .toqarlever z26ipivoted at 27 .on the. carriage rail E; the lower aend of *theilever being adapted to be engaged by a fixedaprojection 29:0n. the frameaneinber A' as shown: in Fig. 3.: The-lower. end of'tthe lever 26% is fitted with a pivot-allyrsupported.- spring pressed.

finger 30: adapted tozrideover the projection 29.i Whenthe icarriage E is 'moved're'arwardly 1'1.

from the :positionshbwn in Fig.1 3 without cf f-ecting operationwofr'thei lever 26 and being operable toengagethe-projection 29, as in dicated in idotted lines in Fig; 3,"to actuate the lever :26 on forward: movement of the car= riage' A's a means forarcstoring thele'ver 26 and its connections to a normal positionafter actuation of the lever by the projection 29,ia link-31 is connected tothe upper end of the-lever V 26 and eXt-ends horizontally and rearwardlytherefroin; the link being formed with an elongated slot '32 through which pro- }ects a pin 33'fiXedjrelat1i-ely to the trainer i and here shown as mounted one standard 3&; the pins33being arranged to engagethc outer-endofthe slot 32 when the carriage-E advances toapoint after 'which' the lower end of the leverQGhas been engaged-by the projeetion:29 and passed. thereoveryso that the seatron =longitudinal.ribs=1gand hafo'rmedioni continued movement of the carriage will restore the lever 26 to normal. The spreader bars 15 are normally disposed in their upper? most position, as shown in Fig. 7, in which position the actuat ng bars 25 and 26 will be disposed as shown in full lines in Fig. 3.

forward travel of the carriage will'cause the pin 33 to act through the link 31 to restore the spreader parts to normal. As Y before stated, the spreader bar 15 in moving downwardly spreads the upper end portions of the plates 12 and 13. On upward movement of the spreader bar 15, the plates 12 and 13 are caused to assume their normal parallel posi-, tion by their lower end portions gravltating to verticalwhich is assisted by theupper portions of the plates being engaged by the advancing side walls of the corrugated ribbon.

cans are provided for pressing the rib bon as it advances and while the "spreader is operating informing the dove-tail channels. This means embodies a press'T extending over the table P and mounted for vertical movement on guides 35erected on theplate' O. A pair of connecting rods 36 and 37 engage with trunnions 38 on each end of'the press T and the lower ends of the connecting rods connect with eccentrics39 formed on the ends of a pair of parallel shafts 40 and 41 journall'ed on hangers 42 and 43 depending from the carriage E. The shafts 40 and 41 are designed to be rotated in unison to effect reciprocation of the press T for which-purpose a pair of intermeshinggear wheels 44 and 45 are mounted on the shafts 4'0 and 41 respectively. Rotatively supported on the shaft 41 is a fly wheel 46 around whichpasses a belt 47 taut irrespective of movement of the carriage E throughout the stroke thereof. Keyed on the shaft 41 is a clutch 48 encompassed in a housing 49 carried on the hanger 43, and which clutch carries,a spring pressed retractable'tooth 50 adapted to be advanced into engagement with'a notch 51 on the fly wheel 46 whereby rotation of the fly wheel will effect rotation of the clutch 48 and shafts 40 and 41. The tooth 50 is normally held in a retracted position out of engagement; with the notch 51 by means of a trip lever 52 one end of which is adapted to be positioned in front of the tooth 50 as shown in Fig. 2. The trip lever is pivoted 'on a trunnion 53 carried by the housing 49 and has its outerend connected through a link 54 with a lever 55 pivoted a't 56 on a bracket 57 carried by the hanger 43. A spring 58normally holds the trip'lever in its tooth engagin position in which position 2. lug 59 on the trip lever seats on the clutch'48 to serve as'a support for limiting rocking movement of the trip lever under the urge of the spring 58. The leverx55 is normally held in an advanced positionby means of a spring 61. The lower end of the lever 55is adapted, on forward movement of the carriage, to engage a fixed abutment 62 in. such manner as to actuate the trip lever to move-the latter from in front of the tooth 50 and thereby permit the tooth to move into engagement with the notch 51 on the fly wheel. .This actuation of the lever 55 and the trip lever 52 occurs during one revolution of the fly wheel 46; the lever 55 and trip lever 52 being restored to normal under the urge of the springs'58 and 61 on the lower end of the lever 55 passing over the abutment 62.

The trip lever will then be positioned to re engage the tooth 50 as the clutch revolvesto throw the clutch out of operative engagement wlth the fly wheel on completion of one revolution of the clutch. A suitable brake 63*is employed for stopping rotation of the clutch. I

48 on disengagement of they fly wheel: from the latter. This rotation of the clutch effects one revolution of the shafts 40 and 41 and the cams 38 and 39, thereby effectinga reciprocalmovement of the press T, the timing of which is so arranged that the downward movement of the press will occur substantially coincidently with downward movement'of the presser or spreader bars 15, that-is to say;

while the carriage E is advancing'and at a}.

. point at or near the middle of itsforward stroke. 1 On rearward movement of the carriage, the lower end of the lever 55 rides overthe abutment 62, the lever then rocking in opposition to the spring 61 which movement is permitted by a pinand slot connection be,-

tween the link and thetrip lever.

As a means for effecting interconnection between the marginal portions of the sheets a and b of the ribbon Q, as the latter advances between the table P and the press T, these marginal portions pass between a pair of rollers V and W shown in Fig. 1;the

' roller V being formed with a series of radial- 1y extending pins X and the roller W being formed with a peripherial channel so that'as the contacting sheets A and B pass therebetween, the pins X will press portions of the sheet B into and downwardly through the sheet A as indicated at Y in Fig. 7. A similar pair of rollers are provided topress two rows of interengaglng tang's in the portion of the sheets passing 'astride the central rib .ise

'11, as indicated in dottedlines Z in Fig. 2 so as to effect interconnection of the sheets "a and 6 along a line intermediate their man gins; the ribbon being designed to be secured longitudinally between the rows of the in' terconnections thusformed. a y In carrying out the invention, the flanges 8, 9 and 11 and forming ribs S are formed to project above the top surface of the table P a distance less then the depth'of the corru'gaice 3 tionssofrithexribbon 1Q. as shown in Fig; 7, whereby- 'a clearance is afford-ed be-tween these inithe: corrugated sheet iwhichxslack is taken up onespreading ithe'upper ends-of the :plates 12:and.13 andiwhen the press F iscaused to press. against-a theribbon as indicated inlast named means to convert the corrugations w Then-advance movement of the carriageE isitimed to correspond with. the-advance movement of the-ribbon Qso that the vertical dotted-.linesinFig; 7. V

andlater'al .pressingzacti'ons on the corruga tions: of:- thewribbon may beefiected .while,

the :latter *is being continuously advanced.

suitable means may be employed for effectingv advance 0f the corrugated ribbon whilerbeing'operatedon. by the press.v The rollers V' and WVunay-be employed as a means: forfeeding the ribbon-.or at least assist in so doing, in which event the roller V may be driven in any suitable manner.

Whil'el have shown and described a spe-: cific embodimentiofthe invention, I :do notlimit myself to the exact: details of construetion-and. arrangement shown, but may employ such :chang'esnand modifications as occasion may; require without. departing from: the

spirit .of theinventionsas defined in theaocompany-mg claims.-

Iclaim: 7 1.1111521- machine-rxfor forming: fabricated fibrous facingqsheets, and means operable to a press the sidewalls of-theribs inwardly while the ribbon is advancing.

2..In a -.=II121ClllIl for:- forming. fabricated lathpanels, means for advancing,aribbon havingzaise-ries of parallellongitudinally e21- tending plasticcomposrtion ribs of subfstam tiallyrectangular cross-section covered with fibrous facing sheets, means operable topress the-side walls of the;r 1bs 1nwardl while the u ribbont is advancing, and means operating;

co-incidentallywith said last named means to compress said IlbS;

3;. In a machine .for forming. fabricated lath; panels, means for continuously advanc- 1ng.--.a ribbon composed of a facing sheet having-substantially rectangular corrugations e:-;-'.

tending; longitudinally thereof, with the co rugations on one side of thesh'eet thereof filled: with .a pla stic composition: and covered by aabacking sheet, means for pressing the ribbon while it advances to compress the plastic composition, and meanscooperating coincidently withsaid last named means to convert the corrugations intosubstantialliy dovetail crossesection.

4C: In amachine for forming fabricated lathpanels, means-for continuouslyadvanc+ ing.a.r1bbon!composed'ofa'facing'sheethaw ing, substantially rectangular-a corrugations extending; longitudinally thereof, with" the corrugations on one side :of the sheet thereof. filled'withra plastic composition: and covered by a'backing sheet, means for pressingthe ribbon while it-advances to compress-the plastic composition, means cooperating with said-- into substantially dove-tail cross-section, and

means: for eilectinginter-engagement between thefacing and backing'sheet along; the mar gins thereof.

5.. In: a: machine -for forming fabricated lathzpanels, means for continuously-advanc-. ing a ribbon composed ofa facing .sheet' hav- ,ing; substantially rectangular corrugations: and.:foreifectin'ggits continuous movement extending longitudinally thereof, with the corrugations -on onesicle of the sheet thereoffilled2with a plasticicomposi-tion and coveredby a-backingsheet, means --for-.pressing ihe ribbon while it advances to-compress the plastic composition, means cooperating with said last named-means to convert the-corrugations into substantially dove-tail. 1 cross-section means for effectinginter-engagement between-.

thefacingzand backingisheet along themarginswthereof, and means-for effecting inter-- engagementbetween the facing and backing;

I sheet intermediatethe marginsthereof.

6. In a. machine:forfiforming fabricated lath panels, means for advancing. a ribbon having a-seriesof parallel longitudinally extending compositionribs ofsubstantially rec-. tangular cross-.sectioni. covered with fibrous facingsheets, a pressv operable tocompress the composition ribs while the ribbon is advanc ing, and means extending between adjacent ribs of the a dvancing. ribbon, movable toward and awayfrom-the-sides of'said ribsfo-rcompressing-said ribs-laterally while the rib-. bonis advancin I 7. In 7 a: machineefor forming fabricated lath panels,--means for advan'oingia ribbonJ having a" series of parallellongitudinally extending composition. ribs .of .substauti ally rectangular cross-section covered with a flexible facing sheet, a reciprocal carriage, a

I table on'said carriage over which theribbon is passed, a press on said carriage, means for actuating said press as the carriage advances to compress-the ribs, a'series ofpairs of parallel plates proj ecting upwardly from saidtable arranged to project between.thecomposition ribs of theribbomand means for spreading:

the upper margins. of theplates of each pair. against the sides ofthe ribsxwhilethe carriage and ribbon are advancing. 7

8. In a machinefor formingfabricated lath panels, meansr for" advancing a ribbons having a series of parallel longitudinally exs tending; composition ribs: of substantially rectangular cross-section covered with flexible-facing sheet,- a reciprocal carriage; 2a

table on said carriage over which the ribbon is passed, a press on said carriage, means for actuating said press as the carriage advances to compress the ribs, a series of pairs of parallel plates projecting upwardly from said table arranged to project between the composition ribs of the ribbon, spreader bars extending between the pairs of plates, means operable on advance of the carriage to depress and elevate said spreader bars, and means whereby downward movement of said bars will press said plates against the sides of the composition ribs.

9. In a machine for forming fabricated lath panels, means for advancing a ribbon having a series of parallel longitudinally extending composition ribs of substantially rectangular cross-section covered with a flexible facing sheet, a reciprocal carriage, a table on said carriage over which the ribbon is passed, a press on. said carriage, means for actuating said press as the carriage advances to compress the ribs, a series of pairs of parallel plates projecting upwardly from saidtable arranged to project between the composition ribs of the ribbon, spreader bars extending between the pairs of plates, means operable on advance of the carriage to depress and elevate said spreader bars, means whereby downward movement of said bars will press said plates against the sides of the composition ribs, and means whereby movement of said press and spreader bars will be controlled by movement of said carriage.

10. In a machine of the character described, a horizontally movable carriage,

means for reciprocating said carriage, a vertically movable press on said carriage, means for reciprocating said press while the carriage is in motion, and a series of oppositely movable pressing members onsaid carriage beneath said press.

11. In a machine of the character described, a horizontally movable carriage, means for reciprocating said carriage, a vertically movable press on said carriage, means for reciprocating said press whilethecarriage is in motion, a series of oppositely movable pressing members on said carriage beneath said-press, and means controlled by movement of said carriage for actuating said members.

12. In a machine of the character described, a horizontally movable carriage, means for reciprocating said carriage, a vertically movable press on said carriage, means for reciprocating said press while the carriage is in motion, controlled by movement of the carriage, and a series of oppositely movable pressing members on said carriage beneath said press.

13. In a machine of the character described, a horizontally reciprocal carriage, a series ofpairs of parallel laterally rockable plates carried on said carriage, a spreader arranged between the plates of each pair, and means for actuating said spreaders controlled by movement of said carriage.

14. In a machine of the character described, a rib forming member comprising a pair of parallel horizontally extendingplates supported for tiltable movement, shoulders on the contiguous faces of said plates, a vertically reciprocal spreader bar between said plates having inclined faces seating on said shoulders, and means for actuating said bar to effect spreading of said plates.

15. In a machine of the character described, a horizontally reciprocal carriage, a vertically movable press guided on said car'- riage, pitmen'supporting said press, normally stationary shafts connected to said pitmen, and means controlled by movement of said carriage for intermittently rotating said shafts. V

16. In a machine for forming panels consisting of a plastic composition interposed between a facing and a backing sheet, means for punching the marginal portions of the sheets to form tangs, and means for pressing the tangs into inter-engagement.

' 17. In a machine for forming fabricated lath panels, a horizontally movable carriage, means for reciprocating said carriage, a vertically movable press on said carriage, means,

for reciprocating said press while said carriage 1s in motion, and means cooperating between said press and carriage for compressing a ribbon interposed therebetween.

18. In a machine for forming fabricated lath panels, a horizontally reciprocal carriage, a vertically movable press on said carriage, means for feeding a ribbon having composition ribs between said carriage and press in unison with advance movement of said carriage, means for reciprocating said press while said carriage is in motion; and means cooperating between said press and carriage for compressing the composition ribs.

In testimony whereof, I have affixed my signature.

GEORGE A. BUTTRESS. 

